Mica Lagman Shares Why It’s Important To Give Back To The Community
Age is just a number when it comes to achieving great things. Mica Lagman, a sophomore at New York University, has a very interesting and dynamic lifestyle—something she’s always wanted. Living in New York has brought her to the forefront of countless opportunities for the benefit of her academic and personal interests. She studies history and intends to pursue further studies in law right after college.
“I was initially interested in taking philosophy because I was really interested in political ideologies,” Mica recounts. “But then I switched courses and I wanted to learn about history because I was interested in seeing how these ideologies evolved and were applied to a country. Also to see how they changed over time.”
Bringing what she learns inside the classroom to the world outside, she also works for the New York State Assembly as a constituent affairs intern. Essentially, her role is to handle different kinds of concerns or problems any member of the community brings up. But more interestingly, the district she works with allows her to get involved in a bigger way. “Our district is very culturally diverse,” Mica shares. “We do a lot of events and help out. Last October, I helped organize the Filipino-American heritage month. So we learn a lot about American politics and overall, it’s really about helping people.”
And with helping others, Mica is driven to continuously create an impact and make a difference in people’s lives. Even though she’s based in New York, and one of her biggest dreams is to practice law there, she makes sure to never lose her sense of community and love for the country she comes from, the Philippines.
“My parents have always taught me: as you climb up the career ladder and become successful, you always have to make sure you give back to the community. For me, it’s not just about becoming a lawyer and all that. It’s more about making a change and making a difference in other people’s lives,” Mica says. Whenever she’s back home in Manila, she always makes sure to take part in outreach projects and do whatever she can to help the community in her own way. Creating social waves of change is what is deeply important to her. Whether she is building a prosperous career in New York, or helping hard up communities in the Philippines, Mica Lagman is driven and there’s nothing that can stop her.
What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
"I know this sounds cliché, especially coming from New York, but it’s to be yourself. It’s a place where you meet a lot of people with different identities, different cultures, and everything. And I found that now living in New York, 'being myself' means sticking to my Filipino heritage and staying true to the principles that have been instilled in me."
Who is the one person you look up to the most?
"I look up to my mom. What I like about my mom is that she is someone who is so successful. She has her own business that she and my father started with nothing. So I would consider them as people who are very self-made. At the same time, she devotes so much time to family. She always listens to me and always gives me such great advice. In the future, I aspire to be someone like her who still achieves her goals professionally, but also takes care of her family. She really balances all of that well, even socially, especially."
READ: PR Girl-Turned-Ocean Advocate Vanessa Vergara Will Inspire You To Protect Our Coral Reefs
READ: Nika Diwa And Her Fashion Brand, Láro, Spread Awareness About Abuse And Human Trafficking
If you had a super power, what would that be and why?
"It would be to read minds. I think that’s something really cool."
If you were to hop on a plane and go anywhere in this world, where would you go?
"I really want to go to France. I’ve been to Paris before but I really want to explore the outskirts of the city. I’ve learned to speak a little French myself having taken classes, and I hope to be fluent one day. I want to give myself the opportunity to converse with the locals and learn more about the culture."
If you were to share a meal or grab a beer with anyone in this world, dead or alive, who would it be?
"I would like to meet Obama. I like what he’s done in the US. I’m very interested in learning more about his decisions and policies. That would be awesome."
*This article was originally published in Metro Society March 2019 issue.?
Photographs by JC Inocian for Metro Society magazine
Makeup by Cats del Rosario
Hairstyling by Francis Guintu
Shot on location at Shangri-La at the Fort
Top Stories
Metro Beauty Picks Of The Week
BEAUTYMar 14, 2023